Most of you already know how I feel about watching TV, so it should come as no surprise that since I FINALLY had the opportunity to sleep in and enjoy a Saturday off… I chose to skip The Royal Wedding. After all, I know that I can always count on my Facebook Family to keep me up to date with anything I might miss on the television networks.

Once I got my day started, I logged in to Facebook and swooned over a few of the intricate details of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s Big Day. However, I found myself quickly becoming annoyed when I noticed that a lot of people were turning this into a Black vs. White situation instead of what it truly was…. A ceremony that honors two people who love each other and wish to be united in marriage.

I saw people arguing over some of the most minimal things such as

Was she the first biracial member of the Royal Family

Why her father wasn’t in attendance

Whether or not her mother was employed

Whether her dress was “Fancy” enough

So after a heated debate with my own husband and a fun-filled “Tea Session” with my favorite wedding stationer, Teras Smith (who also happens to be a good friend). I just had to let everybody what I thought and how I felt.

So here’s a quick recap through the lens of a wedding planner who is truly in love with love in just five hashtags….

#TrueBeauty

I saw a beautiful young lady that was so confident in her natural beauty that she didn’t need/want a dress full of lace, appliques, and tulle.

#AMothersLove

I saw a “Mother” truly delighted in her child’s happiness and standing by her child.

#PrinceCharming

I saw a real life Prince gaze lovingly into his future bride’s eyes.

#TheChildrenAreOurFuture

I saw a teenage cellist follow his dreams.

#GirlPower

I saw a wedding gown that was designed by the first female artistic director at Givenchy.

I could go on and on about everything I loved about this wedding, but I won’t. I’ll just end by saying that no matter what your race, citizenship, or personal beliefs are… Today was a beautiful, historic, and meaningful moment between a couple in love and I for one and truly happy for them. Today was a good day {Ice Cube Voice}

~~~JL~~~

We are all aware of the custom American wedding traditions – tossing the bouquet, something borrowed and something blue, exchanging of the rings and lighting a unity candle. But how many of you are aware of all the other amazing cultures and traditions that are happening around the world? That’s what this monthly blog is for – join us every month to dig into the spectacular wedding traditions of countries all around the world!

Stay tuned once a month for our Weddings of the World blog. Where we will take a deeper look into the cultures and wedding traditions of countries around the world!

We are all aware of the custom American wedding traditions – tossing the bouquet, something borrowed and something blue, exchanging of the rings and lighting a unity candle. But how many of you are aware of all the other amazing cultures and traditions that are happening around the world? That’s what this monthly blog is for – join us every month to dig into the spectacular wedding traditions of countries all around the world!

If you checked out our Insta last week you would have seen a clue for where were traveling to this month & if you guessed New Zealand, you are CORRECT!

Of course we’ve all seen the video of the New Zealand couple’s wedding by now. It’s gone viral and made a few of us even tear up. If you’ve missed the video, don’t worry we’ve got a sample for ya right here. Now that we’ve got you guys all emotional, let’s dive a little deeper into the tradition behind a New Zealand Wedding and Maori customs.

Unique Traditions

♥ The welcoming tradition shown in the video above is known as the Haka, a type of ancient Māori war dance as well as a fierce display of a tribe’s pride, strength and unity. The words of a haka often poetically describe ancestors and events in the tribe’s history. Actions include participants violent stomping their feet, sticking out their tongues and a rhythmic chest pounding accompanying a loud chant.

♥ Couples can choose to exchange rings or the “infinity loops” which are placed around the necks of the bride and the groom. Infinity loops are carved using bone and greenstone and represent the enduring cycle of the couple’s love and signifies eternity.

♥ Maori wedding tradition includes the ceremonial Powhiri welcome to the bride and the groom, and may include the traditional warrior challenge.

♥ New Zealand brides have their own version of a bridal shower, more commonly referred to as the Kitchen Tea, where the friends and family of the bride supply her with items needed to fully stock her new kitchen.

Stay tuned once a month for our Weddings of the World blog. Where we will take a deeper look into the cultures and wedding traditions of countries around the world!